Sydney Opera House at night

Ian Stehbens, on April 7, 2008, said:

O thankyou Cachirri and pedri-top. I am very glad that you like this image. And thank you for your visits and responses.

Ian

pilios g, on April 12, 2008, said:

Beautiful photo.No comments.

Ian Stehbens, on April 12, 2008, said:

Thank you for your visit and your response, pilios. I sometimes think of Greece when I see these very white shells against a very blue sky.

Ian

marisadechile, on April 21, 2008, said:

Beautiful

Ian Stehbens, on April 22, 2008, said:

Thankyou, dear Marisa.

And I can see from your folio there are many special joys ahead for me as I explore where you have been with your camera.

Kind regards from Sydney.

Ian

vire, on April 22, 2008, said:

magnifica foto di grande effetto bravo ciao

Ian Stehbens, on April 22, 2008, said:

I appreciate your comment and visit, vire. It is a grand building so it makes it easy to create a good foto. Ciao

jymsn123, on May 3, 2008, said:

Best of Panoramio

Jeff

Ian Stehbens, on May 3, 2008, said:

Thank you Jeff for this high honour. It certainly has been a popular photo with around 90-105 hits every day, (except when the Panoramio hit counter isn't working, like currently). I have been quite amazed. And I am flattered by your recognition.

I have enjoyed creating a collection of images on this icon, some at night some in the rain, some inside.. It is a very impressive piece of architecture, especially when the bridge is involved in the view, too.

Hope you get to see it one day.

Ian

jymsn123, on May 3, 2008, said:

Ian

Thank you.

Jeff

vik126, on May 15, 2008, said:

Really wonderful shot! Makes one want to be there, literally. Thanks for sharing.

Ian Stehbens, on May 16, 2008, said:

I am pleased that you appreciate the photo, and I hope that you can be there, literally! It is a great city and you'll love the opera or the theatre.

Ian

anissuraya, on May 20, 2008, said:

I wish one day I will visit this beautiful place. Cheers! anis

Ian Stehbens, on May 22, 2008, said:

I am greatly honoured, Anissuraya, that this is the very first photo you visited in Panoramio. Welcome to a wonderful family of photographers who love to encourage each other.

If you ever come to Sydney, I hope I am here to welcome you.

Kind regards,

Ian

clem.fr, on May 27, 2008, said:

très belle photo Ian, ta photo est sublime! no comments and thank you clément

Ian Stehbens, on May 27, 2008, said:

Bonjour, Clément.

Your appreciation of this photo is affirming, Clément. As you may have read above, it was one of the first taken with my first digital camera, so I was convinced that it was great new technology.

Sydney Harbour at night is a great sight.

Kind regards,

Ian

Evgenia Ko, on May 28, 2008, said:

One of the best photos of the opera house on panoramio. And a fine beginning with a digital camera.

Well done!

Greetings from Greece

Ian Stehbens, on May 28, 2008, said:

Thank you Evgenia. This image of the Opera House has certainly been popular through Google Earth links. I am honoured that you have such warm praise for it.

I look forward to more of your photos too, for what I have seen indicates that you enjoy creating with your camera and you have an artistic flair.

Ian

Billy B@rk, on May 31, 2008, said:

Wow! Excellent shot Ian. You must be proud of this one. :)

Ian Stehbens, on May 31, 2008, said:

Hi Billy,

Thanks for the affirmation Billy. I am surprised about a couple of things here, Billy. I haven't seen any others with such picture as this, even though it sits there every night illuminated like this - all it requires is a 200mm lens. My second surprise is that it has been hit so often (I believe someone has it linked to their system and everytime their site is visited it records a hit here, maybe???) Anyway, I am pleased with it.

Warm greetings from Sydney, Billy.

Ian

Rodríguez Prati, on July 16, 2008, said:

Great composition, perfect light, Ian, the number of views talk by themselves, un gran saludo, Edmundo

Ian Stehbens, on July 16, 2008, said:

And great architecture, Edmundo! I am delighted that you have seen this and approved. One day you will come this way, and let us be your host, then you see it in reality.

Ian

campbed, on August 30, 2008, said:

Nice work Ian! Tomorrow I am taking a flight from Canada to Australia (one of my favourite places in the world!) I will have a night of photography in Sydney and was looking for a great view to capture. You did such a wonderful job with this one that I might just try and replicate it myself!

Cheers Mate!

Ian Stehbens, on September 3, 2008, said:

Hi Don,

You may not see my reply while you are travelling, but you may have arrived here before I did, for I have just returned from working in remote areas of Solomon Islands - days in the rain, two days at sea in a canoe - wet through I am now exhausted as well as carrying a chest infection. Hope you have a great time here in Sydney and that you are able to get some great images. Should you be interested in making contact while you are here I am easy to locate in the telephone directory - I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Ian

Luca Rigato, on September 17, 2008, said:

Perfect photo. When it is dark it's difficult to take beautiful picture like this. It seems to be inside one of the most famous place in the world. Greetings from Italy.

Ian Stehbens, on September 17, 2008, said:

Yes, I appreciate your affirmation. It certainly has been a popular photo and I was very pleased with it. I have to go into the city tonight so I will take my camera and see if I can find something interesting to photograph in beautiful Sydney.

Reciprocal greetings from Sydney, Luka.

Ian

Luca Rigato, on September 17, 2008, said:

You have to take other photos like this. Sydney is an amaizing city! Bye Ian.

My contest photos

Ian Stehbens, on September 27, 2008, said:

Dear Luca,

I have done what you requested. During the last 11 days I have made three visits to our amazing city at night and taken my camera and had an hour for photogrpahy each time. I did this to take up your challenge.

I am pleased with some of the results and will upload them. I have just started, not with ground photos but by uploading 4 views from the highest point, Sydney Tower. The others will follow within the week I expect. I hope you like the results when they are uploaded.

Thought I should tell you that your request has been heeded.

Kind regards and best wishes,

Ian

(Tonight I noticed that the hits are 33333! Amazing.)

© Tom Lussier, on September 30, 2008, said:

Great capture Ian. I echo what highton-ridley said about the composition. Very nicely exposed as well.

33 thousand views! Amazing. I thought I was doing well with a couple of images near 2,000. You've given me view envy. :) Well done.

Best regards, Tom

Ian Stehbens, on October 2, 2008, said:

Thank you so much Tom for your appreciation. I marvel at how highton-ridley picked this out so early in its exposure to the world. He is a very competent professional photographer so I felt I had something to contribute through photography as a result of his affirmation.

Don't be too hit-envious. It is mostly one source. It seems somewhere in the world someone has picked it up and used it on their commercial website and it was their site that was attracting 100 viewers per day, and now about 50 per day. That adds up when it goes on day after day. I have no idea where it is being used, but I imagine somewhere in France there's a travel company that arranges accommodation in Sydney for young backpackers and they have added it to their front page! I guess the secret is take a good image of a popular icon, and trust that one commercial site picks it up. Combined luck, icon and good distinctive image.

But of course I am pleased, for they are viewers and hits. My other more popular images seem to be hits mostly attributed to GE.

But there is much more to photography than hits: as you do mastering light and creative composition are to be preferred.

I take my hat off to you, Tom.

Ian

cbjo, on October 6, 2008, said:

Great picture from a beautiful building! Great colours!

Greetings cbjo

Please visit My Contest

Ian Stehbens, on October 8, 2008, said:

Thanks indeed for your appreciation of both architecture and image. Best wishes for your competition.

Kind regards,

Ian

Alessandro Bomfim, on October 20, 2008, said:

I can put here many word but I wouldn't be able to describe it at all.

Ian Stehbens, on October 20, 2008, said:

Thank you for your appreciation and message, Alessandro. It is a remarkable structure in a wonderful harbour setting.

Warm greetings from Sydney.

Ian

Alessandro Bomfim, on October 20, 2008, said:

It's ok Ian! thank you too for keeping contact!

greetings from Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.

arabique, on October 30, 2008, said:

Ian this is by far one of the nicest photos of the opera house on panoramio! you have photographed a scene that i see weekly and you have done it in such a classy and elegant way.

Ian Stehbens, on October 30, 2008, said:

It is very affirming that someone who knows the Opera House so well, appreciates my photogrpahy of it. Thank you arabique. Judging by the number of hits, this has become my 'signature' photo!

Kind regards from up the River,

Ian in Parramatta

DiggaTwigga, on October 30, 2008, said:

What for a great night picture of the Opera! Well done.

My Latest Pictures

Greetings from Germany

Ian Stehbens, on October 30, 2008, said:

Thank you DiggaTwigga. You also are a competent night photographer.

Greetings from Sydney to Germany.

Ian

Reiner Vogeley, on November 1, 2008, said:

Excellent night photo, wonderful reflections and colours. Great shot!

My october contest

My favourites

Kindest regards Reiner.

Ian Stehbens, on November 1, 2008, said:

Thank you Reiner.

Appreciatively,

Ian in Sydney

hyedward, on November 7, 2008, said:

the most awesome pic of sydney here!

Ian Stehbens, on November 18, 2008, said:

Thanks for your appreciative comment, Edward. It is a great view of this amazing building.

Best wishes from Sydney,

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on November 18, 2008, said:

OWS Google Earth Travel

T NL, on November 28, 2008, said:

Fantastic night shot of an amazing building, nicely done Ian!

Greets, Tomas

Ian Stehbens, on November 28, 2008, said:

I appreciate your comment Tomas and the more I photograph this building the more I appreciate its architect! Kind regards from Sydney.

Ian

thor☼odin™, on November 30, 2008, said:

Hello Ian Allow me to bring a homage to the Architect Jørn Utzon who passed away yesterday at an age of 90. Best wishes Peter

Ian Stehbens, on November 30, 2008, said:

Thank you very much, Peter. Your thoughtful response is treasured by me, and I join you in paying tribute to this very special man, his imagination and his achievements.

I feel privileged to have this image and others in my album for now they, in a small way honour Jørn Utzon, the remarkable architect of our Sydney Opera House. I am aware as is all Australia that Jørn Utzon died yesterday morning at his Copenhagen home.

This image of the Opera House has received 41,300 hits tidate and is my highest ranked photo. All of these hits are attributable to Mr Jorn Utzon AC, for no one would look for this icon on any site if it were not for his architectural concept. I am proud to honour this late great Danish architect, who certainly deserved architecture's supreme award, the Pritzker Prize, which he was awarded in 2003, and the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

An obiturary that pays tribute to him appears in today's Los Angeles Times and there will appear some very special articles on this man and his Sydney Opera House in papers and other media all around the world, for the Opera House is an item of World Heritage, built in our lifetime!

I am sure that the Danish and Australian media will feature him and his imagination in the coming days. It will not be a temporary thing for his legacy will grow into legend, his vision will become even more awesome as the years go by. He will be held in high esteem by generations yet unborn for his building transformed the image of two nations, both Denmark and Australia.

Humbly,

Ian

jymsn123, on December 1, 2008, said:

I heard it on TV. He was a great designer. Human life is limited. But his designed Sydney Opera House will be eternal. It is landmark of Australia.

Jeff

Ian Stehbens, on December 1, 2008, said:

Thanks Jeff. All over the world the media picked up on Utzon's death and contribution. And you are right, Jeff, so let me repeat, for the world, part of my earlier comment: It will not be a temporary thing for his legacy will grow into legend, his vision will become even more awesome as the years go by. He will be held in high esteem by generations yet unborn for his building transformed the image of two nations, both Denmark and Australia.

My best regards, Jeff,

Ian

U.A.B., on December 21, 2008, said:

Nice nightshot.Best regards,sadass. My Contest

Ian Stehbens, on December 22, 2008, said:

Christmas greetings from Sydney, sadass, and may you have a very fulfilling New Year.

Ian

EVA_L, on January 27, said:

I congratulate you with the the Australia Day, dear friend!

I wish you peace and to save the kindness in your hearts!

Eva

Ian Stehbens, on January 27, said:

Dear Eva,

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and encouragement.

221 years ago today, 27th January 1788, two of Margaret's ancestors went ashore from the convict transport ships that had brought them to Australia as convicts. The boats, "Scarborough" and "Alexander" and 9 other vessels anchored, or tied up to trees in the bay that today is between this Opera House and the Harbour Bridge!

And so began "modern Australia" which has fused indigenous Australian descendants and immigrant Australians together as one nation. These boatloads of convicts and accompanying marines, and soldiers and their descendants not only displaced traditional owners from their fishing, hunting and cultivated lands but also engaged in hostile conflicts. The different histories and world views have been and in some matters still are hard to reconcile, yet in my lifetime I have seen much progress in this matter, and some remarkably grace-filled responses and initiatives that excite me.

Beside me here, there hangs a highly significant artwork by Mrs Kathleen Wallace, an indigenous Australian artist from Arente lands near Alice Springs in the central deserts of Australia. Her artwork is called "Reconciliation Australia 2000".

One of Margaret's significant claims to fame is that she is descended from two First Fleet convicts, Robert Forrester and Phillip Devine, as well as 8 other convicts that were transported to Sydney from England and Ireland in the 1787-1820 period of our early settlement history.

So on Australia Day there is always pride as well as sober reflection that is expressed and necessary.

Warm greetings,

Yan

EVA_L, on January 27, said:

This is really an amazing story, my friend! I admire families which so carefully kept their history, the memory of ancestors. This makes the current generation more powerful!

Eva

Ian Stehbens, on January 29, said:

Thank you for your appreciative response, Eva. How well do you know your own family history, and genealogy? I would be most interested, I assure you. More interested than in the Dnepr, even though this river threads a nation together, because family history weaves a nation.

Yan

EVA_L, on January 29, said:

You're right, Yan! The history of your family this is the true history of your nation. Both my parents family history are very interesting. Unfortunately, I know the history only of four generations. After the 1917 revolution, many documents missing, many have been destroyed, sometimes to know about your ancestors were just dangerous!

Best wishes, Eva

P.S. 46969 - great and merited result. I'll show this image and your new pictures to my parents this weekend. They sent you greetings!

EVA_L, on January 30, said:

447051! 82 views for 17 hours! Wonderful!

Eva

Ian Stehbens, on January 30, said:

Dear Eva,

I can only presume that some organisation somewhere has this photo on their website and every time someone enters their website it records a hit. I imagine that somewhere in France or Greece or London there is a travel organisation that arranges trips to Sydney or accommodation here. It consistently receives around 80 hits every day, and sometimes the count is over 100 per day.

I was amazed when it scored 10 000 hits, but it just keeps on going, day after day.

Thanks for enjoying its popularity with me. But what we have to achieve now is that you get to see this, one night, in person! Wouldn't that be the best hit of all?

Yan

Ian Stehbens, on January 30, said:

OWS I have found this photo on the frontpage of Hostelin Sydney.com which will account for some of its daily hits.

EVA_L, on February 4, said:

Thanks for the link, dear Yan! This is an excellent opportunity to see beautiful photos of famous and exciting places which became and my favorites thanks to our communication.

I already wrote above that I know history of 4 generations of my family. What would you like to know about my ancestors, dear Yan?

Eva

Ian Stehbens, on February 5, said:

Dear Eva,

I would love to learn more about Ukrainian history throughthe story of your ancestors, even if only for the last 4 generations. Your part of the world has expereinced rapid change during the last 200 years, and it has been quite tumultuous with the history of wars, political and religious change. The current relations even between your two national leaders is very noteworthy, and as are the different relationship with your neighbours. I am sure I could sit for hours and listen to your ancestral stories, which would reveal so much about your culture, values, and ideas.

If you were willing and preferred to converse through personal email, I would be delighted to share that with you. But you might start simply by telling me of the geographical places where each of your ancestors lived from generation to generation. Then learning of their occupations would also reveal some of the historical change that has occured. But, this is a very popular photo so it is a very public place.

My warmest regards,

Yan

gsli, on February 15, said:

非常漂亮，制作的也很精致

Ian Stehbens, on February 15, said:

Thanks for your comment, gsli. It certainly is a remarkable building.

谢谢。 這是一個非常有吸引力的大廈。 我希望您也許參觀悉尼，一天。

Ian

Skyhunter, on February 16, said:

Realy Beautiful.! Great Shot.! Greatings from Italy Skyhunter January Contest

Ian Stehbens, on February 16, said:

Your visit and comments are very much appreciated, Skyhunter. Warm greetings on a summer morning in Sydney,

Ian

Andrina Brennan, on February 18, said:

Ian, I was wanting to use your image of the opera house for our conference proceedings cover, as it s such a great photo, I'm wondering if I could have your permission?

Thanks, Andrina

Ian Stehbens, on February 18, said:

Dear Andrina,

I appreciate your recognition of the photo. But, please first provide me with some details of the conference and what organization it is that is running the conference so that I may consider giving permission.

Ian

Andrina Brennan, on February 22, said:

Dear Ian,

The conference is being run in Sydney by Macquarie University/ACM, and here is the link to it: http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/conferences/asiaccs2009/

it is a computing conference presenting research papers.

Andrina

Ian Stehbens, on February 22, said:

Andrina Brennan, ACM Organising Committee.

Dear Andrina,

Thanks for the request, and information on your conference. I am very happy, in fact honoured, to grant permission for use of this image in your conference promotion. I will email you the required acknowledgement and conditions for its reproduction.

Best wishes for a successful conference,

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on February 23, said:

2518203:50000

Opeti Moala, on March 13, said:

Marvellous. Y* It is in my favourites, Ian.

Obed

emil_watson, on March 24, said:

Great curves and a beautiful sight. Great night shot, very well done.

Emil Watson - South Africa

Ian Stehbens, on March 24, said:

Dear Emil,

Thanks for your affirming comment. And greetings to you in South Africa.

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on March 24, said:

Malo e lelei, Opeti. Fefe hake? Malo 'aupito. It is with delight that I am able to let you know that the images of your church are now up on this website for you to access at 1Mb for Sione and Viliame.

'Ieni.

temtem, on April 3, said:

Thanks indeed for your appreciation of both architecture and image. Best wishes for your competition. evden eve nakliyat

Ian Stehbens, on April 3, said:

And I appreciate your encouragement, Temtem. (But I wish I could read Turkish to follow the link!)

Greetings from Sydney,

Ian

© (((Jose Daniel))), on April 3, said:

Temtem is a SPAM, be aware!!!

vtibor, on April 6, said:

Wonderful capture!! YS Greetings, Tibor

Ian Stehbens, on April 6, said:

Dear Tibor,

That was a quick response. Nice to know you are on line and that we are chatting live! And thanks for the honour of a YS!

Best regards,

Ian

dushenghua, on April 8, said:

nice foto, greetings from China Dushenghua

Ian Stehbens, on April 8, said:

Thank you, Dushenghua! This is our most significant cultural building, and I am proud of it. I am so pleased that I have this photo of it. China has so many special cultural buildings of which to be proud!

Greetings from Sydney to Urumqi!

Ian

blakesyd, on April 14, said:

this i a good photo for Google earth then people around the world can see what a nice harbor we have.

Ian Stehbens, on April 20, said:

Thanks for the encouragement, Blake. May I encourage you to create some more good photos of Sydney to add to your gallery for GE, too.

Regards,

Ian

zorinaristos007, on April 22, said:

Magnificent nightshot! YS.

Cheers from Poland, zorinaristos007.

Ian Stehbens, on April 23, said:

Your comment and YS are both valued, thanks very much, zorinaristos007. And I see you have a great variety of lovely photos of nature in Poland in your gallery. I have some genetic roots in Poland so it is a pleasure for me to browse your album.

Greetings from Australia, Ian

zorinaristos007, on April 24, said:

Hi Ian! I am glad you visited my gallery and could find some pictures you liked. You are welcome to see my gallery whenever you would like. Do you know where in Poland your genetic roots begins?

Cheers from Poland, zorinaristos007.

Ian Stehbens, on April 24, said:

Thanks Zorinh.. for your response and for sharing your photography with us all. As for my Polish roots, all I know is that they were last in Oboriniki, Posen before migrating through Hamburg to Australia. Apparently they are in the Oboriniki records so I guess they lived there.

Ian

zorinaristos007, on April 24, said:

You meant Oborniki (not Oboriniki) I guess. It`s located in central Poland, I live in the south.

Greetings from Jastrzębie Zdrój

Ian Stehbens, on April 24, said:

Yes I did, Zorin... I presume Oborniki was quite a small community in the 1850s, though it is quite an industrial city today. I think the south of Poland must be very beautiful being enhanced by the high and majestic mountains and deep valleys.

Ian

Conquilha, on May 29, said:

very good shot Ian one of my favorites.I allways like photos from Australia and this from the opera is amazing.Great colors, great lights, great position, eveything fantastic._I hope you can see mine to and comment_Congratulations from Portugal and keep working well. Cristiano Ronaldo, Forever

Ian Stehbens, on May 30, said:

Greetings Cristiano,

Your comments are very much appreciated. I hope you have the opportunity to visit Sydney one day and enjoy the nights as well as the days in this great city. There certainly is plenty in Sydney to excite and challenge a landscape photographer.

Ian

leoklides cafe, on June 13, said:

bela photo dessa arquitetura espetacular...

Ian Stehbens, on June 13, said:

It is an architectural gem, because of its setting as well as its design. Thank you for your encouraging comment, kidda cafe.

Ian

Richard Ure, on June 13, said:

Viewers might like to see what is on the other side of the Opera House! http://is.gd/11m16

Ian Stehbens, on June 13, said:

I see that you enjoy Birchgrove, Richard. I have done a few laps of the cricket oval there. And had a few meals in my favourite sweet shop in Harris Park.

Thanks for your visit.

Ian

Richard Ure, on June 17, said:

Ian,

Have you considered adding your excellent photos to Picture Australia http://www.pictureaustralia.org a project of the National Library?

Ian Stehbens, on June 19, said:

Thanks for this referral, Richard. I hadn't but I will investigate this further, on your encouragement.

Ian

vatican811215, 3 days ago, said:

Sydney is very beautiful, I very much like that. Unfortunately, only in the satellite map and you enjoy the photos. I am from Shanghai, China!

Ian Stehbens, 3 days ago, said:

vatican811251. I am very pleased that this photo allows you to see the beauty of Sydney, especially the beauty and majesty of the Opera house and Bridge.

You also live in a grand city with many stunning buildings.

Ian